By Cathy Iino.
Hello, Killingworth-
Killingworth and Middlesex County did not see increases in numbers of confirmed cases since yesterday, but that does not mean we can relax our vigilance. The number of cases in Connecticut jumped by over 200, to 618 statewide. Governor Lamont reported that this increase is not just the result of increased testing, and that we expect to see the numbers continue to rise for several weeks.
Killingworth Building Department. While the office is closed, we are checking messages and doing our best to keep essential projects going. If it’s a project that can wait, however, we ask you to hold off–especially if the project involves indoor inspections–for the sake of your contractors and our staff. Building Official Richard Pleines will continue to do inspections at ongoing construction sites with caution, asking the contractors to keep clear until he is done. If you leave a message at 860-663-1765, ext. 504, your call will be returned.
Parks. To repeat: we encourage you to use the parks for solitary recreation, not group activities. And the playgrounds are closed.
Census. Looking for something significant to do from home? Respond to the 2020 Census. Political representation, federal and state funding, and basic population data–not personal data–all depend on the census count. The state could lose approximately $2,900 for every person who is undercounted.
You should have received an invitation to respond on line with a Census ID number. If you do this, you will not have to talk to a census taker in person.
Packages. Many people have asked about the safe handling of packages such as mail or groceries. Health Director Paul Hutcheon provides this advice:
Although it may be possible for a person to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, the coronavirus is thought to spread mainly from person to person via coughs or sneezes in close proximity (within 6′).
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Recent studies indicate that the coronavirus can survive on a variety of surfaces from several hours to 2-3 days. Survival time is shorter for absorbent surfaces such as cardboard (24 hours) and longer for hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel (2-3 days). There’s a lot we still don’t know about how different conditions, such as exposure to sunlight, heat, or cold, can affect these survival times.
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If you touch items recently handled by someone else–say, the mail carrier, a store clerk, or someone who has shopped for you–be aware that the items could be contaminated and wash your hands before you touch your face or prepare or eat food. Clean and disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces regularly.
If you need any kind of nonemergency assistance, please leave a message at 860-663-1765, x201. In an emergency, call 911.
Stay home, stay safe–
Cathy
